M25

I have today published an action plan for the M25 which carries forward a number of proposals for easing congestion on the M25 by enhancing its capacity and smoothing traffic flows.

My Department is pressing ahead with the plans announced in the May 1989 Roads White Paper for widening the whole of the M25 to four lanes. The consultants will also investigate longer-term options such as climbing lanes, widening to five lanes and the provision of collector-distributor roads alongside the motorway. My Department will continue to examine the options for making full use of the existing carriageway.

The plan contains a number of important traffic management measures to assist drivers and improve safety and traffic flows. These include lighting the motorway, improved signalling through the use of automatic incident detection in conjunction with new variable message signs, and improved arrangements for smoothing the flow of traffic at junctions—including the use of access control where appropriate.

I am sure this plan will be welcomed by many users of the M25 and by communities that have been relieved of traffic by the M25.